Update: Christchurch Earthquake
February 24, 2011
Update on Christchurch, New Zealand, Earthquake by James Moore:
Thanks for your thoughts and prayers. We have been able to cope at the welfare centres so far—all of us have trained hard to prepare ourselves for events like this. We also have learned from September’s earthquake; however, this recent earthquake has been a greater challenging for us.
Image from Royal New Zealand Air Force P-3K Orion that conducted aerial surveillance of areas affected in Christchurch earthquake on 22 February 2011. Crown Copyright 2011, NZ Defence Force – Some Rights Reserved.
Since the earthquake we haven’t really had much sleep; it is very difficult for us to get any rest even when we do try to sleep. We have all been doing long hours working at the welfare centre; last night I spent about 14 hours helping to operate the welfare centre by doing all the radio and phone communications, organising work for other volunteers, ordering in equipment, organising flights, hygiene, security, planning and raising other concerns.
So it has been pretty stressful. I’m reasonably tired; however, I’m really struggling to get any sleep like everyone else because of the aftershocks and I cannot stop thinking about how we can improve the welfare centre.
However, this is nothing compared to what other people are going through. I really feel sorry for the people I met previously in the September earthquake who are (now) staying in the welfare centre and cannot return to their homes. Although we do have challenges, I feel really blessed that we have a roof over our head and my friends are still alive. I better try and get some sleep before I have to go back in again. Thanks once again for your prayers and thoughts.
James
Inside United: Realtime 
Mr. Moore, thanks SO MUCH for keeping us informed about the conditions there and the toll it is taking on all of you. It sounds like you are being of great service to the people there. The more we are made aware of the better we can pray about it to our Holy Father. May you continue to find the help that is needed there.
We are praying for all of you in New Zealand during this stressful time. Be brave and continue to stand in the gap.
Thanks for keeping us updated. Will pray you can get some rest.
Thank you very much for your updates. I have experienced several earthquakes and I know what are you talking about. Keeping you and the Christchurch community in our prayers
We so appreciate how you are letting God’s light shine in your service to the needy. We are praying for you, and for our brothers and sisters in Christ, and for all the victims of this horrendous quake.
We hope that you will be able to get some sleep, so you can further carry on refreshed and strongly uplifted.
Dear Brethren in the faith: Sometimes it’s hard to find joy in the trials we face, but the apostle James tells us in James 1:1-4 to count it all joy when we fall into various trials. I thank you for the work you and other people are doing over there and ask our Lord Jesus Christ to help you continue helping others as much as you really can.